H Series Pickup construction.

[hdahs143]

My HDTC (09-22-03N) came with an H3 in the bridge. Most musical high output pickup I've heard. After a couple of years, I decided to move to a lower output, and after picking Roy & Tom's Brains, decided on the H2. It's more in the right direction, but it aint there yet.

I'm wondering if the H Series atypical construction (veritcal ceramic bar) is contributing to me not hearing that sort of vintage sweetness I want to hear? I like the SA's for the most part, but prefer them in split mode.

I've found over the years that my ears seem to gravitate towards Alnico II magnets in both S/C and HB.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!

[pipedwho]

I replaced my SDs with SFs and they were noticeably more vintage sounding. I also used to love the SDs split sound, but the SFs have a humbucking sound that sounds much richer than the SDs did. The split sound on the SF is still good too, and for some things I prefer it - it's very 'fat'. For the neck/middle quack position, the SFs seem to combine best when they're both split, but combining them non-split is still quite acceptable.

Also, the SFs are no slouch when it comes to output level. They are by no means vintage by way of having a low output. My Drop Top has SF1/SF1/H3 pickups, and the SFs, although a bit lower in level, can keep up fine with the H3.

The traditional humbucker sounds can be found in the HO series humbuckers. The HO1+ uses an Alnico II magnet and is constructed in the traditional magnet underneath configuration.

However...

It seems Tom has been on a vintage humbucker design binge of late and has created a couple of exciting new options: the HC series (covered) and the HF series (uncovered). These are supposed to be the bees knees of vintage tone, and were designed with the Atom CT in mind.

When I was talking to Roy on the phone about the SFs, I vaguely remember him saying that the 'F' stood for 'Fifties'. In fact, that is probably the best way to describe the sound of the SF1. So you can imagine what type of sound they were going for when designing the HF and HC pickups. :)

[pipedwho]

BTW, welcome to the forum! :)

Before dano comes in here and explains the most important of all forum rules, I will give you a heads up: you are required, under penalty of, well, ok no penalty, to post pics of your Anderson guitar(s)! :D

[tom]

sounds to me like you're after the new one. if you want to keep the same look, and HF2 would be it. if you want to enlarge the pg hole, you could do the covered HC2. these are about the same output as the h2 but with the character i think you're after.

[hdahs143]

Thanks for the quick replies. We both used the word "sweet" in describing the pickup, and sound character I'm looking for, so it sounds like we're on the same page. I think that's one of the things I like about Alnico 2 pickups. They just seem to be sweet sounding, with a smooth, rounded top end, as opposed to pointy. Kind of the same thing you get by substituting a 5751 for a 12AX7 in the first slot of some amps. A little less gain, and a beautiful top end.

Where can I get more info on the HF2, and the SF series, including price, etc.

Thanks again,

[tom]

there is no info printed anywhere yet as they are new. both are $125 retail.

[hdahs143]

Sounds great. Are they available from dealers yet, at a street price, or only direct.

Thanks

[tom]

we have not shipped any hf's but could. we have shipped sf's to magdon.

[pipedwho]

tom, how would an HF2 compare to an HW2 tonewise?

[hdahs143]

Are the SF's true single coils? And where do you guys find all this info about stuff that's not on the website? Here I guess?:)

[tom]

hf to hw, sweeter top and more articulate bottom. very different.
here is the best place for new info along with guitar of the week and what's new on the site.

[hdahs143]

Thanks for the info tip. Just found and read the blurb on the SF's. Sounds right up my alley. Looks like I'll be swapping all 3 when I can get my hands on a set.

[pipedwho]

Nooooooooo. I've just called the local distributor and placed an order for an HF2. :eek:

The sad thing is that every time I change a pickup in one of my TAGs it's not because I don't like the sound and want to 'improve' it. It's just to see what other flavours I can get happening. I start loving the new sound, and then I start missing the old one! I might have to start buying some more guitars to put them in. ;)

[tom]

that sounds like a wonderful solution:D

[hdahs143]

Hi Tom

Thanks for all the pickup info. It sounds like the HF2 is what I'm looking for in the bridge. And the SF's in the neck/middle spots will take the place of the current SA's. (The cream pie vs pecan pie line sold me).

Two questions. 1. Since I have SA1's, would the SF1's be the right choice. 2. Being the HF hasn't shipped yet, and none of the dealers are showing the SF's in stock, Do I just pick Magdon or another dealer, and order them, and they'll order them from you?

Thanks again!
Harold

[tom]

any dealer can order them. we have shipped sf's to magdon. jack seems very on top of keeping them in stock. yes, sf1's make sense.

[harritone]

Wondering if the HF2 has an alnico magnet?

[tom]

yes it is.

[hdahs143]

Are the HF/HC humbuckers Alnico 2 or 5 magnets, and is the magnet vertical like the H series or flat like a traditional humbucker.

Thanks!:)

[tom]

they are a mutation of alnico5 and flat traditional structure.

[ducmike]

They sound great, whatever the construction is.:D I bought a Cobra with HC1/HC2 last week. I'm loving the tone and feel of these pups.

And, I picked up my Classic today after the H2+ was swapped for a long awaited HF2. Well worth the wait. I liked the H2+, but it was missing something to my ears, seemed a little thin to me. To me, the HF2 has all the grind and output of the H2+, but a sweeter fuller top end, and it pairs better with the SFs. The HF and HC also seem to respond better to picking dynamics and the volume knob.

I can hear a slight difference between the HF2 and HC2, but that could be as much from the construction differences in the guitars as it is the cover.

[tom]

the guitars are more different than the cover, but the cover is certainly noticeable.